Dental Q&As for New Parents

When it comes to health, Greenville, South Carolina is one of the best-ranked areas for cardiac and orthopedic services. This sprawling city is home to two main health systems, which employ a large portion of employees in this part of South Carolina. Because health is a leading industry in Greenville, it’s not surprising to know that many people here are concerned with their overall health.

If there’s one sector that’s likely to be concerned for their health, it’s the family sector. New parents, for example, are especially keen about their child’s health. While many new parents watch out for health problems like coughs and colds, many parents may not be aware of dental health problems that could also be common in babies.

If you’re a new parent and you haven’t paid attention to your baby’s oral health, don’t panic yet. There’s still time to combat the problem. You can read books and online sources to start your baby on the right path towards oral health. You may also use the following information as a guide on some common dental issues.

Is bottle-feeding compromising my baby’s teeth?

It depends on how you bottle-feed your child. Some Greenville, SC dentists discourage parents who dab their child’s bottle with honey because sugar and bacteria combined can cause oral health problems. If possible, wean your child from the bottle early because this can help your child’s teeth, too.

How can I stop thumb sucking?

Many Greenville, SC dentists suggest distracting babies with toys or games to prevent them from thumb sucking. Whenever your baby tries to suck his or her thumb, call the baby’s attention and offer him or her a toy to play with. Be patient, because this will not be easy at first. However, this eventually pays off once your child stops the habit.

How do I clean the baby’s mouth?

Some parents fret about cleaning their baby’s mouth, especially when the baby doesn’t have teeth yet. However, a Greenville, SC dentist suggests starting a nightly mouth cleaning using a soft, damp cloth. You can use the cloth to wipe the baby’s gums and hard palate before the baby sleeps, to keep the baby’s mouth bacteria-free.